The delivery time of Norilsk Nickel products has increased two to three times due to the refusal of European transport companies to work with Russian contractors, according to Anton Berlin, the vice president of the company for sales and distribution.
According to him, the cost of delivery has also increased. "Delivery cost has gone up two or three times. It's a little easier with precious metals, they are flown by planes, so it only takes a few days. Shipping by sea, especially to Asia, is sensitive, because the ship goes to China for more than two months. The Northern Sea Route is not so accessible yet, and we have to sail on roundabouts," kommersant.ru quotes Berlin as saying.
Norilsk Nickel swiftly reoriented its sales to Asia in the first half of the year, as the region became the largest market for the company for the first time in history.
This year, Norilsk Nickel plans to transport 2.0 - 2.1 million tons of cargo along the Northern Sea Route. In 2024, the company plans to increase the volume of shipments along this route to 2.4 million tons.
Norilsk Nickel has its own fleet with six vessels of increased icebreaking capacity.
Alex Shishlo for Rough&Polished
